WGCL Releases More Statements About the Lawsuit Against Them
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Meredith’s WGCL in Atlanta seems more than happy to fight a lawsuit against them outside the courtroom as well as inside.
As FTVLive told you, former WGCL Meteorologist Paul Ossman is suing the station and a part of his lawsuit is pinned on notes that were passed between Anchors Sharon Reed and Thomas Roberts while sitting on the anchor desk during the newscast.
Those notes were obtained and FIRST published by FTVLive.
WGCL has now released a second statement on Ossman’s lawsuit and it includes comments from Thomas, Reed and current Meteorologist Jennifer Valdez.
WGCL GM Lyle Banks sent the new statement out to the staff in an email that was obtained by FTVLive:
A WGCL insider weighed in on the new statement, saying:
“I understand and support the decision to defend Jennifer. She did nothing wrong and she is a great co-worker who deserved the promotion. However, WGCL doubling down on Sharon and Thomas? Give me a break. Those two killed morale in this newsroom by passing notes to each other and by acting like the senior class bullies. They openly mocked their colleagues, and Steve (Doerr, News Director) and Lyle (Banks, GM) allowed it to happen. Steve wouldn't even address the issue even though the entire newsroom knew about it. Several of us brought it to Lyle's attention when you published those notes. He told us he was concerned. Not concerned enough to publicly address it! Only Thomas apologized to Paul. Sharon refused to apologize and tried to spin things. She is vicious.”
As for Ossman? The staffer weighed in on that as well:
“Let's talk about Paul. I never saw him sexually harass anyone. But I've heard, through reliable sources, that Paul indeed said inappropriate things to some women in the newsroom. Never anything physical, as far as I know, but stuff was said that wouldn't fly, especially in today's "Me Too" era. Things like sexual jokes and other uncomfortable things. Not acceptable in any way.”
The bottom line, if Ossman made the statements that witnesses and the station say he did, he has almost no chance of winning this lawsuit and filing it hurts him badly for future job prospects in this business.
When he was fired, he was walked out with public opinion on his side. This lawsuit might change that.
From what we have seen, Meredith was right in their firing of Ossman. Clearly, the firing and the note passing incidents could and should have been handled better. But, we think Ossman would be best to drop the lawsuit.
Just saying…
